As you bid farewell to warmer weather, it’s important to give your vacation home the proper goodbye it deserves. Leaving your shore property vacant during the winter can pose many risks if not properly winterized. The last thing you want is to come back in the spring only to find that floods, rodents or burglars have left your summer home in ruins. Put your mind at ease by following these tips on how to winterize your home before you leave:
- Drain the water system. Turn off the electric or gas supply to the water heater and close the main valve to the house water supply. Next, drain the pressure tank and open all faucets to release the water. Disconnect all hoses from exterior faucets and open the drain valve closest to the main shut off valve. Remember to flush your toilets and drain out all of the water from the flush tank. Pouring antifreeze in the sink traps and toilets also ensures your pipes don’t freeze and burst once the temperature hits below zero.
- Control the temperature. If you’re going to be gone for a while, shut off the main circuit breaker to the heating units. However, if you’re planning to leave the heat on, it’s best to adjust the thermostat to anywhere between 50°F and 55°F. Before you leave, have a licensed technician service your heating and cooling systems.
- Disconnect all appliances. Unplug all electric appliances, including microwave ovens and TVs. This eliminates the risk of fire due to a faulty switch or a rodent gnawing the wires. Turn off your washer, dryer and cable too.
- Clean out your refrigerator. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer. Trash any perishable food and make sure the refrigerator is thoroughly cleaned. Leave the doors open to prevent mold from growing. Placing a box of baking soda inside can also help get rid of tough odors.
- Set glue traps. Place glue traps along the walls and tight spaces to catch any pesky rodents wandering into your house.
- Close cracks or openings. Patch or fill holes to prevent mice, rats, squirrels or insects from entering your building. Don’t forget to also check the roof and close the vents.
- Cover furniture. Chatham, NJ interior decorator Cheryl Smith always recommends covering any and all furniture in your home to prevent dust from accumulating. Use tarps or old sheets to keep dust off of your furniture and help eliminate the need to dust when you re-open next season!
- Bring in outdoor furniture. Anything that isn’t secure should be brought into the house. This includes trash cans, bikes, tools, barbecues, planters, toys, bird feeders and outdoor equipment.
- Clean the outside. Do a final sweep of dead leaves outside your house. Removing dead leaves prevents varmints from building their winter nests near your house. Clean your rain gutters to make sure they don’t get clogged while you’re away. If you have large trees, prune any branches that could potentially damage your home in the event of a storm.
- Increase your home security. Last but not least, remove any valuables in your house and invest in a good burglar alarm system. Ensure all your shutters and windows are properly closed and locked.
Your shore property is a large investment, so make sure it’s securely locked up and well-protected while you’re gone.